该 (gāi) — (modal verb) should, ought to; used to indicate strong necessity or likelihood; to deserve (something positive or negative); to be someone's turn; to owe
Definition
该 (gāi) is a modal verb meaning 'should/ought to' and 'to deserve' — interchangeable with 应该 in most uses, but 该 sounds slightly more emphatic or colloquial. Negate with 不该, not 不用.
verb
(modal verb) shouldought toused to indicate strong necessity or likelihoodto deserve (something positive or negative)to be someone's turnto owe
Easily confused
Examples
- 该。Nǐ gāi qù shàng kè le.You should go to class now.
- 该。Tā gāi dé dào dà jiā de zūn zhòng.He deserves everyone's respect.
- 该。Jīn tiān gāi wǒ zuò fàn.Today it's my turn to cook.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 該; 该 is its simplified writing.
The traditional form 該 pairs 言 (speech) with 亥 as a sound part; the simplified 该 is a shorthand, so its parts are not the historical components.
Appears in
Browse more HSK 3 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.